Cooking Up Science
About the Teacher
Mr. Calderon is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelors degree in Psychology (Pre-Med) and a Masters degree in counseling from St. Edwards University. He has been a middle school teacher for Pflugerville I.S.D. at Westview Middle School for 7 years. He has taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grade math and science. He has also been a cheerleading coach and a boys soccer coach for at Westview for 4 years. The Westview Middle School Cheerleading team achieved a National Championship in 2010 and a Regional Championship in 2012. The boys soccer team also recently won the district championship for P.I.S.D. in May of 2012. Mr. Calderon is also a GED instructor for Austin Community College where he has personally achieved over 120 graduates from program. Mr. Calderon’s philosophy in teaching and coaching is to create a positive, comfortable environment where students have the ability to learn and excel. He is an avid chess player and always enjoys a quick game to keep his students engaged. During his off time, Mr. Calderon enjoys spending time with his daughters (Victoria -15 and Isabella-7) bike riding, swimming and golfing. As an ongoing project of 6 years, Mr. Calderon has volunteered time to collect blankets and clothing for Austin’s homeless as well as donations for the Boys Scouts Club #2 in his home town of Chihuahua, Mexico. He is excited to join this wonderful organization and looks forward to spending time this summer with his new students.
Some of the things the campers learned while in camp
Liquids
Young People begin by learning lab safety. Also introductions to the different type of lab equipment and terminology (beaker, graduated cylinder, test tube, ounces, pounds, liters, milliliters, lab apron, safety goggles, eye wash station, fire extinguisher, investigation, observation and hypothesis). Campers will use beakers to measure out different levels of water. They will be required to use pipettes as well as graduated cylinders. Campers will then add food coloring to the water and observe the color change and make diagrams in their student journal. Young People will be introduced into what a hypothesis is and how to prove it or disprove it.
Liquid to Solids
Young People will begin by reading instructions of a cookie mix box. Young People will then each open up a small container and make observations in the student journal over the texture, color, smell, and visual appearance(specifically the physical state of the dough). Campers will then make different shapes with the cookie dough and help set the correct temperature for the cookies to bake. While that is cooking, we will begin talking about different types of fruit. We will finish the day with making a fruit drink. All fruits will be mixed with small amounts of water and students will write down observations in their student journal.
Turn up the Heat
Young People will work with pancake mix. They will read directions for cooking as well as the ingredients. Campers will hypothesize the method by which the pancakes are made. Campers will then measure and mix ingredients while notating the different types of textures as well as physical states such as solid, gas, and liquid. Once they are done, Young People will enjoy the pancakes and then make a drink of their choice from a fruit.
Mixing it Up
Young People will be working with the staple of all breakfast. Eggs. Campers will observe the physical appearance of an egg and draw it in their student journal. Campers will then each break an egg and observe the physical traits of it. We will then use the electric skillet to observe what happens to the egg when it is place over a hot surface. Young People will also place eggs in hot water to see how to make a boiled egg.
